This was the high point of Afghan music, when Radio Afghanistan became a hub for creativity, and the Ministry of Higher and Special Education established music schools for young talent. At the center of it all was Ahmad Zahir, “the king of Afghan music.”
Zahir, the son of a Prime Minister, revolutionized Afghan music by blending traditional folk and classical styles with Western pop, jazz, and rock influences. He became a unifying cultural icon, inspiring countless musicians and elevating Afghan music to new artistic heights.
Tragically, Zahir was murdered in 1979, just as the political upheaval began to silence much of Afghanistan’s music. Yet his influence endured, shaping the next generation of Afghan artists and leaving behind a legendary mark on the industry.
